NY Juvenile Age Should Be Raised, Group Says

NEW YORK (AP) - A coalition that includes children's advocates, law enforcers and lawmakers is hoping to change the way juvenile offenders are handled by New York's criminal justice system.

The group is launching a public information campaign dubbed "Raise the Age."

About 40,000 to 50,000 teens, ages 16 and 17, are arrested and prosecuted annually in the state. By law, they're automatically treated as adults.

Currently New York and North Carolina are the only two states nationally that by statute cut off the juvenile justice age at 15.

The head of the Citizens' Committee for Children of New York says research shows the brains of 16-year-olds haven't fully formed. Jennifer March-Joly says that includes the part that controls decision making.